How to Track QR Code Scans and Measure Results

It depends on the type. A static QR code is just a link printed as a pattern; scanning it doesn't contact anyone but the destination website, so the code itself can't count scans. A dynamic QR code passes every scan through the provider's short link first, so the provider can count scans before redirecting.

That gives you two ways to measure QR code performance, and you can use both.

With a dynamic code, your QR dashboard records each scan as it happens. Typical data includes:

• Total scans per code
• Scans over time (per day), so you can see the effect of a campaign or event
• When it was last scanned, useful for spotting codes that have quietly stopped being used
• Device and browser (mobile vs. desktop, Safari vs. Chrome), on some platforms

In QRCraft, each dynamic code shows its total scan count, and your dashboard shows total scans across your codes and which codes are scanned most. Free accounts get 3 dynamic codes to try this with.

Note that "scans" counts scan events, not unique people. One person scanning twice counts twice.

If the code points to your own website, you can tag the link so your analytics tool (such as Google Analytics) knows the visit came from a QR code. Add UTM parameters to the destination address:

https://yourshop.com/offer?utm_source=flyer&utm_medium=qr&utm_campaign=spring_sale

• utm_source: where the code was printed (flyer, poster, packaging)
• utm_medium: always qr, so you can filter all QR traffic
• utm_campaign: the campaign name

This works with static codes too, and it shows what visitors did after landing (signed up, bought, left), which scan counts alone can't tell you.

The most useful thing analytics can do is tell you which placement works. Make a separate code for each location, for example one for the shop window, one for receipts and one for the flyer, each with its own dynamic code or UTM source. After a few weeks, you'll know where your printing budget is working and where it isn't.

• Scans per placement: which locations get attention.
• Scan trend over time: did scans spike after a promotion, then fade?
• Conversion after the scan (from your web analytics): did people do the thing you wanted?
• Zero-scan codes: a code nobody scans is either badly placed, too small, or missing a reason to scan ("Scan for 10% off" beats a bare code).

Scan tracking should be proportionate. Counting scans and device types is standard; if you collect more, say so in your privacy policy, and don't track individuals without a good reason. Customers are more willing to scan codes from businesses they trust.

Create a trackable dynamic QR code.